Swivelling shield providing protection to fan

ABSTRACT

A shield for a fan includes a mounting frame, a receiving frame and a mounting plate. A plurality of shielding pieces is pivotally mounted on the mounting frame. The receiving frame receives the mounting frame. The receiving frame includes a bottom edge containing a weight block. The mounting plate defines a vent hole. The receiving frame is pivotally mounted on the mounting plate and aligned to the vent hole. Gravity of the weight block causes the bottom edge to be always in a horizontal direction and the undermost position of the receiving frame.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to fans, and more particularly to a fan with shield.

2. Description of Related Art

A large amount of heat may be generated from electric elements of an electronic device during operation. If the heat is not dissipated efficiently, the electric elements may be damaged. Therefore, efficient heat-dissipating devices are essential.

A fan is used as a means to dissipate the heat from the electronic device. A rack can be provided for receiving a plurality of fans. A plurality of through holes is defined in the rack for the passage of air. However, debris or air particles may enter the electronic device via the plurality of through holes. The debris or air particles may cause damage to the electronic device. A shield is provided for shielding against debris or air particles. However, if the electronic device is rotated through an angle, the fan shielding is ineffective.

Therefore, there is room for improvement within the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Many aspects of the embodiments can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the embodiments. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is an exploded and isometric view of a shield of a fan of an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an exploded and isometric view of a positioning member of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an assembled view of the positioning member of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an assembled view of the shield of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosure is illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements. It should be noted that references to “an” or “one” embodiment in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and such references mean “at least one.”

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an embodiment of a shield of a fan includes a mounting plate 10, a mounting frame 30, and a receiving frame 60.

The mounting plate 10 is the mounting of the shield of a fan (not shown) on an electronic device (not shown). The mounting plate 10 defines a rectangular vent hole 12. A post 13 is located on a center portion of vent hole 12. Each of four corners of the vent hole 12 is protected against noise and vibration with a positioning member 50, which is a sprung-ball locator.

The mounting frame 30 includes a rectangular first frame body 31. A center portion of the first frame body 31 is hollow to define a first opening 32. The first frame body 31 includes a plurality of clasps 311. The first frame body 31 includes a first frame edge 35 and a parallel second frame edge 36. The first frame edge 35 and the second frame edge 36 are located on opposite edges of the first opening 32. A plurality of parallel pivot shafts 37 is pivotally mounted in the first opening 32. Each of the plurality of pivot shafts 37 is located horizontally in the first opening 32. Each of the plurality of pivot shafts 37 secures a shielding piece 38. The shielding piece 38 is adapted to rotate together with the corresponding pivot shaft 37. The shielding piece 38 can rotate between a shielding position and an exposing position. In the shielding position, the plurality of shielding pieces 38 together shield the first opening 32 against the ingress of debris and air-borne particles. In the exposing position, the plurality of shielding pieces 38 does not shield the first opening 32 and allows air to flow through the first opening 32.

The receiving frame 60 is configured to receive the mounting frame 30 therein. The receiving frame 60 includes a rectangular second frame body 61. The second frame body 61 defines a plurality of engaging holes 611, corresponding to the plurality of clasps 311 of the mounting frame 30. A center portion of the second frame body 61 is hollow, defining a second opening 62. A mounting piece 63 is secured in a center portion of second opening 62. The mounting piece 63 defines a pivot hole 631 for receiving the post 13 therein. The receiving frame 60 includes a bottom edge 65. A center portion of the bottom edge 65 secures a weight block 67 of very dense material. Each of the four corners of the receiving frame 60 defines a recess 69.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the positioning member 50 includes a first receiving case 51, a second receiving case 52, a spring 70, and a ball 80. The positioning member 50 defines a first receiving room 511. A side of the positioning member 50 defines a semicircular first cutout 513. A width of the first cutout 513 is smaller than a diameter of the ball 80. The first cutout 513 communicates with the first receiving room 511. The first receiving case 51 includes a plurality of locks 517. The second receiving case 52 defines a second receiving room 521. A side of the second receiving case 52 forms a semicircular second cutout 523, corresponding to the first cutout 513 of the first receiving case 51. A width of the second cutout 523 is smaller than a diameter of the ball 80. The second cutout 523 communicates with the second receiving room 521. The second case 52 defines a plurality of locking holes 527.

In assembly of the positioning member 50, the spring 70 and the ball 80 are placed in the first receiving room 511. The inner side of the first case 51 resists an end of the spring 70. Another end of the spring 70 pushes against the ball 80. The ball 80 is aligned to the first cutout 513. Part of the ball 80 extends through the first cutout 513 by the force of the spring 70. Then, the plurality of locks 517 of the first receiving case 51 engage in the plurality of locking holes 527 of the second case 52, to secure the first receiving case 51 and the second receiving case 52 together. The first receiving room 511 and the second receiving room 521 together receive the spring 70 and the ball 80 therein. The first cutout 513 and the second cutout 523 together form a through hole, for part of the ball 80 to extend out of the first receiving case 51 and the second receiving case 52. The edges of the through hole keep the ball 80 captive in the first receiving case 51 and the second receiving case 52. The ball 80 can rotate in the first receiving room 511 and the second receiving room 521. The assembled positioning member 50 is mounted on each of the four corners of the vent hole 12.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, the mounting frame 30 is placed in second opening 62 of the receiving frame 60. The clasps 311 of the mounting frame 30 engage with the engaging holes 611 of the receiving frame 60, to secure the mounting frame 30 and the receiving frame 60 together. Then, the receiving frame 60 is aligned to the vent hole 12 of the mounting plate 10. The post 13 of the mounting plate 10 is inserted in the pivot hole 631, of the receiving frame 60, to pivotally mount the receiving frame 60 on the mounting plate 10. The presence of the weight block 67 mounted on the bottom edge 65 of the receiving frame 60 causes the bottom edge 65 to gravitate to the undermost position of the receiving frame 60, by the gravity of the weight block 67. At this position, the balls 80 of the positioning members 50 are located in the recesses 69 of the receiving frame 60. The mounting plate 10 is then mounted on the electronic device to provide shielding to a fan.

When the electronic device is moved or repositioned at another angle, the receiving frame 60 rotates to keep the bottom edge 65 in the horizontal direction and the undermost position by the gravity of the weight block 67. Therefore, the shielding pieces 38 of the mounting frame 30 are kept in a horizontal direction. The pressure of the balls 80 of the positioning members 50 is low enough to ensure that the balls 80 can escape from the recesses 69 of the receiving frame 60 as gravity acts upon the weight block 67. The balls 80 can slide back in the recesses 69 when the bottom edge 65 is in the horizontal direction.

In the above shield, the weight block 67 always keeps the bottom edge 65 as the horizontal and the undermost edge of the receiving frame 60, to maintain the shielding pieces 38 always in horizontal direction. Therefore, the shield can keep working effectively.

It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the embodiments have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and functions of the embodiments, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in the matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the present disclosure to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A shield for a fan, comprising: a mounting frame, a plurality of shielding pieces pivotally mounted on the mounting frame; a receiving frame receiving the mounting frame mounted therein, the receiving frame comprising a bottom edge, and a weight block mounted on the bottom edge; and a mounting plate defining a vent hole, the receiving frame pivotally mounted on the mounting plate and aligned with the vent hole; wherein gravity of the weight block is configured to contain the bottom edge in a horizontal direction and the undermost position of the receiving frame.
 2. The shield of claim 1, wherein a post is secured in a center portion of the vent hole, the receiving frame defines a pivot hole, and the post is povitally mounted in the pivot hole.
 3. The shield of claim 2, wherein each of four corners of the mounting plate comprises a positioning member, and the positioning member abuts the receiving frame.
 4. The shield of claim 3, wherein the positioning member comprises a spring and a ball, the spring is abuts the ball, the positioning member defines a through hole, a size of the through hole is smaller than a diameter of the ball, and part of the ball extends out of the positioning member via the through hole to abut the receiving frame.
 5. The shield of claim 4, wherein each of four corners of the receiving frame defines a recess, and the ball is configured to be positioned in the recess.
 6. The shield of claim 4, wherein the positioning member comprises a first receiving case and a second receiving case, the first receiving case defines a first receiving room, the second receiving case defines a second receiving room, and the first receiving room and the second receiving room together receive the spring and the ball therein.
 7. The shield of claim 6, wherein a side of the first receiving case defines a semicircular first cutout, a side of the second receiving case defines a semicircular second cutout, widths of the semicircular first cutout and the semicircular second cutout are smaller than the diameter of the ball, and the semicircular first cutout and the semicircular second cutout together form the through hole.
 8. The shield of claim 7, wherein the first receiving case comprises a plurality of locks, the second receiving case comprises a plurality of locking holes, and the plurality of locks are engaged in the plurality of locking holes to secure the first receiving case and the second receiving case together.
 9. The shield of claim 1, wherein the plurality of shielding pieces of the mounting frame is kept in the horizontal direction.
 10. A shield, comprising: a receiving frame with a plurality of horizontal shielding pieces pivotally mounted thereon, the receiving frame comprising a bottom edge which extends in a horizontal direction, a weight block mounted on the bottom edge; and a mounting plate defining a vent hole, the receiving frame pivotally mounted on the mounting plate and aligned with the vent hole; wherein gravity of weight block is configured to contain the bottom edge in a horizontal direction and at the undermost position of the receiving frame.
 11. The shield of claim 10, wherein a post is secured on a center portion of vent hole, the receiving frame defines a pivot hole, and the post is pivotally mounted in the pivot hole.
 12. The shield of claim 11, wherein each of four corners of the mounting plate comprises a positioning member, and the positioning member abuts the receiving frame.
 13. The shield of claim 12, wherein the positioning member comprises a spring and a ball, the spring abuts the ball, the positioning member defines a through hole, a size of the through hole is smaller than a diameter of the ball, and part of the ball extends out of the positioning member via the through hole to abut the receiving frame.
 14. The shield of claim 13, wherein each of four corners of the receiving frame defines a recess, and the ball is configured to be positioned in the recess.
 15. The shield of claim 13, wherein the positioning member comprises a first receiving case and a second receiving case, the first receiving case defines a first receiving room, the second receiving case defines a second receiving room, and the first receiving room and the second receiving room together receive the spring and the ball therein.
 16. The shield of claim 15, wherein a side of the first receiving case defines a semicircular first cutout, a side of the second receiving case defines a semicircular second cutout, widths of the semicircular first cutout and the semicircular second cutout are smaller than the diameter of the ball, and the semicircular first cutout and the semicircular second cutout together form the through hole.
 17. The shield of claim 16, wherein the first receiving case comprises a plurality of locks, the second receiving case comprises a plurality of locking holes, and the plurality of locks are engaged in the plurality of locking holes to secure the first receiving case and the second receiving case together.
 18. The shield of claim 10, wherein the weight block is mounted on a center portion of the bottom edge. 